Mariagiulia Sardu
Building belonging: fostering togetherness in diverse children’s communities through constructive play
A brief summary of the project
Children start school at around the age of six. They become part of a community in which they play, learn and grow alongside other children, both during and outside school hours. As they grow older, this community becomes increasingly important.
Between the ages of nine and twelve, children become less dependent on their parents and more reliant on their peer group. Feeling accepted has a significant influence on a child’s confidence, happiness and well-being. Helping children form meaningful friendships is therefore essential.
Children with disabilities are at greater risk of being excluded from play and school communities than children without disabilities. Parents and organisations working with children in Denmark report that children with disabilities in mainstream public schools often face social challenges, experience exclusion more frequently and enjoy school less than their classmates.
Play is widely recognised as a way of bringing children together. Through play, children form friendships and communities, become part of groups and develop a sense of togetherness. What if we could design play activities that make this easier for every child?
This project explores constructive play: activities in which children build something together. It asks whether creating something together as a group can help children form stronger relationships and feel part of a community, regardless of their abilities. The project examines how different ways of designing a building activity influence how children interact with one another.
Imagine that I bring something that is mine, you bring something that is yours, and through play we combine them into something that is ours. How does this process of creating something together shape our relationship? Does it depend on what each child brings to the activity? Do the materials the children use make a difference? Can this approach help build stronger communities for children?
By addressing these questions, the project will explore how building together can strengthen friendships and foster a greater sense of belonging for all the children involved.
It will also examine how designers can support teachers and educators in creating meaningful play activities for everyone in schools and after-school programmes, where children spend much of their everyday lives.